Apparatus for treating water by flocculation and/or crystalline precipitation, settling and sludge recycling

Claim 1

An apparatus for the treatment of water to remove colloidal and suspended matter therefrom by flocculation and/or crystalline precipitation, settling of resultant sludge and recycling of at least a portion of the thus concentrated sludge to the incoming water to be treated, said apparatus comprising: reaction tank means for receiving water to be treated and for forming sludge of flocculated or crystalline precipitated matter contained in the water, said reaction tank means comprising a first zone for receiving the water to be treated and for achieving mixing of the water with the recycled sludge, and a second zone connected to said first zone for flocculating or crystalline precipitating sludge from the water, said second zone being connected to said concentrating tank, means for transferring thereto the water and sludge, wherein said first zone is defined by two coaxial enclosure members, said second zone comprises compartments on opposite sides of said first zone, said first and second zones are connected at adjacent lower ends thereof, and said compartments are connected at upper ends thereof to said concentrating tank means; means for introducing into said reaction tank means the water to be treated; concentrating tank means for receiving said water and sludge from said reaction tank means, for removing a major portion of sludge and matter from said water, and for thickening and concentrating said sludge, said concentrating tank means including a sludge collector for promoting the concentrating of settled sludge; lamella settling tank means for receiving from said concentrating tank means said water and for removing therefrom by settling remaining sludge and matter, said lamella settling tank means including at least one pit for the collection of sludge, and means for withdrawing sludge from said pit; means for removing treated water from said lamella settling tank means; means for recycling to said reaction tank means a portion of the sludge from said concentrating tank means prior to the maximum concentration therein of said sludge; means for removing concentrated sludge from said concentrating tank means; and a single enclosure containing therein said reaction tank means, said concentrating tank means and said lamella settling tank means, with said concentrating tank means being positioned between said reaction tank means and said lamella settling tank means.

Claim 2

An apparatus for the treatment of water to remove colloidal and suspended matter therefrom by flocculation and/or crystalline precipitation, settling of resultant sludge and recycling of at least a portion of the thus concentrated sludge to the incoming water to be treated, said apparatus comprising: reaction tank means for receiving water to be treated and for forming sludge of flocculated or crystalline precipitated matter contained in the water, said reaction tank means comprising a first zone for receiving the water to be treated and for achieving mixing of the water with the recycled sludge, and a second zone connected to said first zone for flocculating or crystalline precipitating sludge from the water, said second zone being connected to said concentrating tank, means for transferring thereto the water and sludge, wherein said first zone is defined by two coaxial enclosure members, said second zone comprises compartments on opposite sides of said first zone, said first and second zones are connected at adjacent lower ends thereof, and said compartments are connected at upper ends thereof to said concentrating tank means; means for introducing into said reaction tank means the water to be treated; concentrating tank means for receiving said water and sludge from said reaction tank means, for removing a major portion of sludge and matter from said water, and for thickening and concentrating said sludge, said concentrating tank means including a sludge collector for promoting the concentrating of settled sludge; lamella settling tank means for receiving from said concentrating tank means said water and for removing therefrom by settling remaining sludge and matter, said lamella settling tank means including at least one pit for the collection of sludge, and means for withdrawing sludge from said pit; means for removing treated water from said lamella settling tank means; means for recycling to said reaction tank means a portion of the sludge from said concentrating tank means prior to the maximum concentration therein of said sludge; means for removing concentrated sludge from said concentrating tank means; and a single enclosure containing therein said reaction tank means, said concentrating tank means and said lamella settling tank means, with said concentrating tank means being positioned between said reaction tank means and said lamella settling tank means.